Swaminathan calls for revamping fisheries sector
Staff Reporter
Moots synergy between technological experts, administrators and politicians to replenish marine resources
KOCHI: Noted agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan has called for comprehensive reforms in the aquarian sector on the lines of the agrarian reforms held earlier.
Dr. Swaminathan, Chairman, National Commission on Farmers, and also president, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, was delivering the 59th Foundation Day Lecture on `Fish for All,' at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) on Saturday.
He said that only an integrated approach with proper synergy between technological experts, administrators and politicians could save and replenish the depleting marine resources.
He said that a National Aquarian Policy for inland and marine waters based on the principles of ecology, social and gender equity, economics and employment generation, was imperative.
Separate department
In his lecture, Dr. Swaminathan, who had chaired the Fish for All Steering Committee, suggested a thorough overhauling of the sectors related to fisheries and marine resources, including the setting up of a separate Department of Fisheries in the Ministry of Agriculture for integrating the activities of the various departments and bodies under one umbrella.
Dr. Swaminathan demanded that aquaculture be treated on a par with agriculture and given benefits such as exemption from income tax, availability of differential rates of interest, loan for tube well, water, seed and feed at concessional rates.
Setting up of a National Fisheries Development Board on the lines of the National Dairy Development Board would also help bring various activities and authorities under one roof, he said.
He recommended the setting up of a Central Fish Harbour Development Agency and framing of a law for the effective management of landing centres. Dr. Swaminathan suggested that the open access nature of marine fisheries be gradually curtailed through restriction on the number of vessels, number of days and hours at sea, engine power, size of fishing gear and other such factors. Setting up of Fish for All Capacity Building and Mentoring Centres, based on the integrated attention to all links in the capture and culture to consumption chain, was also stressed.
He added that the Marine Fishing Regulation Acts of the States needed to be reviewed in the light of conflicts between traditional and mechanised sectors of fishing. He said the Central Board of Fisheries should meet regularly to tackle the difficulties.
A small technical group from the National Agricultural Research System, industry and fishing communities should chalk out a protocol, which is feasible, affordable and acceptable in the background of the demand for organic fish abroad. Giving a brand name for the Indian Organic Fish could also be considered, he added.
Dr. Swaminathan inaugurated the Marine Biodiversity Museum set up at the CMFRI, which houses 1,351 species of aqua life forms belonging to 172 families and 64 orders.
(The Hindu-06/02/06, Sunday)
Staff Reporter
Moots synergy between technological experts, administrators and politicians to replenish marine resources
KOCHI: Noted agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan has called for comprehensive reforms in the aquarian sector on the lines of the agrarian reforms held earlier.
Dr. Swaminathan, Chairman, National Commission on Farmers, and also president, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, was delivering the 59th Foundation Day Lecture on `Fish for All,' at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) on Saturday.
He said that only an integrated approach with proper synergy between technological experts, administrators and politicians could save and replenish the depleting marine resources.
He said that a National Aquarian Policy for inland and marine waters based on the principles of ecology, social and gender equity, economics and employment generation, was imperative.
Separate department
In his lecture, Dr. Swaminathan, who had chaired the Fish for All Steering Committee, suggested a thorough overhauling of the sectors related to fisheries and marine resources, including the setting up of a separate Department of Fisheries in the Ministry of Agriculture for integrating the activities of the various departments and bodies under one umbrella.
Dr. Swaminathan demanded that aquaculture be treated on a par with agriculture and given benefits such as exemption from income tax, availability of differential rates of interest, loan for tube well, water, seed and feed at concessional rates.
Setting up of a National Fisheries Development Board on the lines of the National Dairy Development Board would also help bring various activities and authorities under one roof, he said.
He recommended the setting up of a Central Fish Harbour Development Agency and framing of a law for the effective management of landing centres. Dr. Swaminathan suggested that the open access nature of marine fisheries be gradually curtailed through restriction on the number of vessels, number of days and hours at sea, engine power, size of fishing gear and other such factors. Setting up of Fish for All Capacity Building and Mentoring Centres, based on the integrated attention to all links in the capture and culture to consumption chain, was also stressed.
He added that the Marine Fishing Regulation Acts of the States needed to be reviewed in the light of conflicts between traditional and mechanised sectors of fishing. He said the Central Board of Fisheries should meet regularly to tackle the difficulties.
A small technical group from the National Agricultural Research System, industry and fishing communities should chalk out a protocol, which is feasible, affordable and acceptable in the background of the demand for organic fish abroad. Giving a brand name for the Indian Organic Fish could also be considered, he added.
Dr. Swaminathan inaugurated the Marine Biodiversity Museum set up at the CMFRI, which houses 1,351 species of aqua life forms belonging to 172 families and 64 orders.
(The Hindu-06/02/06, Sunday)
posted by renuramanath at 11:02 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home